Mutterings for the Minority

Norwich City away was the longest trip the Swans would face in the League this year and so it was an obvious choice on our shortlist of ‘away’ trips to be undertaken. Here is a rundown of our little trip!

The Deeters Bar Jacks (note the new spelling in order to avoid confusion for Chris whom thought it was Dieters as in weight loss, rather than a German forename!) set off in bang bus number six at 7:15am with a daunting 616 mile round trip to Carrow Road ahead of us.

We had the pleasure of welcoming TJ to the Deeters ‘family’ although some of the lads insisted on calling him Conkers – in reference to his north Walian wine making roots as opposed to his genitalia. Anyway, his additional vocal presence was most welcome.

We made good time and before we knew it were in Reading services having an M&S stop. We were roughly half way there! Without wanting to waste valuable eating time, we left sharpish with Lance at the helm and it was full steam ahead for our pre-match lunch stop – The Gamekeeper in Old Buckenham which was some 15 miles or so from Norwich.

After a few minor navigational problems we reached our main grub stop around noon and were impressed by what we saw when we arrived. Good choice Lance! Trudging in through some bemused locals we studied the menu and ordered our liquid refreshment. We were not disappointed on either front!! I went for the Rabbit and Venison stew in dumplings, served with mash and roast courgettes, swilt down with some fine Aspall Organic Suffolk Cyder – WOW it certainly hit the spot. Don’t ask me what the others had, I was too busy satisfying my palette on one of – if not the – best away day meals I’ve had to date.

1:30 pm duly arrived and it was time to head off in search of Carrow Road and some parking. It was a bit touch and go for a while and a very long walk meant that we finally got to the ground with 10 minutes to spare!

I won’t say much the game itself as you can read numerous match reports on both the official Swans and Norwich websites.

It goes without saying that we were well happy with the result and it made the long journey home a happy one, which had we lost I think would have – well need I say more!

Talking of the journey home, you’ll never guess who we saw driving (with his son) – yes, the hamster himself Mr. Kenny Jackett!!  We did try our best to get his attention – but he never flinched,  keeping his eyes on the road and Mercedes in one piece with it. Miserable git

Not being one to start rumours or anything, but he was heading in the direction of Watford on the M25 circular – going home after the ‘Wall game maybe or perhaps off to see the Watford chairman about a new job.  Remember where you read it first

Anyway, farewell until the next Deeters Bar Jacks away trip…..

Finally got to catch up with coach today for a lunchtime run and was soon being put through my paces – as per usual! It was more a case of keeping up than catching up I can assure you.

The wind blowing in off Swansea Bay was strong to say the least and it made harder work of the 5 mile run than I’d experienced over the last couple of weeks. Couple that with what felt like an increased pace and I was certainly feeling leg weary over the last half mile or so.

My time of 44 minutes 22 seconds was a wee bit quicker than my last effort which considering the conditions I was more than pleased with, even if I did feel ‘shot’ at the end of it.

I did joke this afternoon that my legs felt like jelly – which in all honesty they did – but at the same time I couldn’t help but feel satisfied by how taut they felt due to the recent mileage I’ve been putting in.

Who knows, one day I might even fulfil one of my lifetime ambitions and run a marathon!

A typical winter’s day welcomed the first of the two meetings this week between against the Hornets, with the Swans drawing first blood with a 3-1 win.

As per Southampton the other week, Watford didn’t look like a ‘bottom 3′ team and their pace and trickiness in attack was evident – unlike lofty QPR a few weeks back! People say the table doesn’t lie and I suppose it’s hard to judge teams on just seeing them once, but on the evidence of today I doubt Watford will struggle all season long.

The game itself was literally a game of two halves (aren’t they always!?) with the first half being instantly forgettable bar the 1 goal apiece – some tricky passing, movement and finish (coupled with a sloppy clearance) giving Watford the lead before a Ferrie Bodde thunderbolt squaring things up less than a minute later.

The 2nd period was a more entertaining – if niggly – affair with the Swans taking control of the game and applying lots of pressure, with a fine Jason Scotland finish and injury time goal from Guillem Bauza making sure the Swans ran out comfortable winners in the end.  

Watford faded badly in the 2nd half which meant the 800 odd travelling fans turned their attention back to singing about “sacking the board” – spurred on by a large banner carrying the same message. I guess they were in no doubt as to what they felt about Ady Boothroyd’s departure earlier in the week.

On the subject of singing, our very own Dieters Bar Jacks tried their damndest to stir the Asbo East Stand into voice with a 8 minute plus rendition of “Martinez Barmy Army” – much to the amusement of those sitting near us!  Look out Norwich that’s all I can say

So another 3 points in the bag, which see’s us climb up to 9th in the Championship table and the perfect tonic before Tuesday night’s Worthington Cup game against the same opponents.  Quarter finals anyone?

Poor old Katherine Jenkins.  How difficult it must have been for this talented multi-millionaire songstress to come clean and reveal to the tabloids that she’d done various drugs in her pre-stardom days.   Grown men and women have leapt to her defence and expressed admiration for her having the strength to come clean.

Oh come off it.  I mean really, how hard could it have been for her.  She’s well liked (as the public/media reaction illustrates) and financially secure (having recently been awarded a £6 million pound recording contract). 

Can you imagine the outcry if a lesser known/squeaky clean personality had come out about their past misdemeanours. Need I say more?

Of course there is the issue of Christmas being just 51 days away and a certain ‘Sacred Arias‘ album having been released just a couple of weeks ago – so it couldn’t be one massive marketing and media push by her agent could it?

Nah, our Katherine is too nice for that.  Surely.

45 minutes 32 seconds – that’s how long I was out running for today.  I still can’t believe it and I MUST make a point of finding out when last ran for that amount of time or distance (5 miles).

Perhaps most bizarrely of all was the fact that I actually phsically felt like going for longer which is rare to say the least – especially of late.  No doubt if I had carried out I’d have paid for it, so I took the sensible option (probably!).

Mrs DDWT even commented on how I wasn’t as red in the face as usual!  It has to be noted that I’ve ALWAYS been like a beetroot after running even in my primary school days, as opposed to being naturally unfit

I’d now like to try and sustain this time and distance over a few training sessions over the next couple of weeks and see how things go from there.

But to say I’m chuffed with my progress to date would be a massive understatement.